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A Digital Journey through Irish Theatre History

A Digital Journey through Irish Theatre History, the Abbey/NUI Galway digital archive partnership, was launched in October by President Michael D. Higgins. It is the largest digital theatre project ever undertaken, and heralds a new era of scholarship for Irish theatre internationally.

The Abbey archive, which contains over �.8 million items, is one of the world’s most significant archival collections. It has a wealth of extraordinary and unique material providing a fascinating insight into Irish theatre, history, culture and society. The archival material ranges from show posters, programmes, photographs and minute books to lighting plans, set and costume designs, sound cues, prompt scripts and audio files.

At the launch President Browne said that the project would see NUI Galway bring the most advanced digital technology to bear on one of the country’s most historic theatre archives. “This digitisation project is based on an awareness

of the importance of the Abbey Theatre for the social, cultural and economic history of this country – not to mention its ongoing significance for Ireland and the international community as one of the key national theatres in the world. The benefits to our students and researchers of having direct access to this rich national collection will be immense. There is also great interest in the digital archive abroad and it will draw researchers of international repute to Ireland.”

The new undergraduate degree in Drama, Theatre and Performance, as well as a new PhD programme in Irish Drama, will encourage a new wave of young researchers from Ireland and abroad to come to Galway to learn about Yeats, Synge, Lady Gregory and the many other great writers associated with the Abbey. The University has also introduced two new fully-funded PhD fellowships dedicated to research in Irish Theatre to give an immediate boost to the research team working on the Archive project. http://www.nuigalway.ie/abbey-digital-archive-partnership/

Actress Geraldine Plunkett reminisces through pictures from the Abbey Theatre’s archive with Fiach Mac Conghail, Director, Abbey Theatre and Dr Patrick Lonergan, Director of Drama Studies, NUI Galway. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.

Nuachtlitir Foirne | Staff Newsletter | Nollaig 2012

Inside this Issue: Page 3 The Éamon de Buitléar Archive

Page 5 The Whitaker Institute Page 7 Focal ón Uachtarán… and more!

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Focal ón Eagarthóir

NUI Galway jumped to third place in Ireland in this year’s Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. NUI Galway is now ranked 336th in the THE Rankings �0��/�0�3, an increase of 3� places on last year’s position.

NUI Galway was one of only two universities improving their world ranking this year. This increase in position follows on from a similar

result in the QS World University Ranking �0��, where the University was again one of only two Irish universities to increase its position, with a rise of �� places to �87th in the world. Earlier this year, the University also achieved the top award of a five star rating by the QS Stars system, a new rating system designed to provide a more detailed comparison of world universities than the rankings provide.

Rise in World Rankings

Former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, visited NUI Galway recently to mark the beginning of a new partnership with the University. Recent plans have been unveiled to establish a Mary Robinson Centre in the former President’s home town of Ballina, Co. Mayo. The Centre, supported by Mayo County Council and Ballina Town Council will be established at Mary Robinson’s birthplace and will include

both a Visitor Centre and an academic research centre, supported by NUI Galway and focused on scholarly research and education in the fields of Human Rights and Women’s Leadership.

Speaking at NUI Galway, Mary Robinson also announced details of a public interview on her life and work, with Fintan O’Toole, to take place at NUI Galway on January �4, �0�3.

Mary Robinson To Give Public Interview at NUI Galway

Pictured is Mary Robinson addressing guests in the Aula Maxima in November

Fáilte go eagrán na Nollag d’Ollscéala.

The cover story highlights the recent launch of the Abbey Theatre/NUI Galway digital archive partnership and last month the renowned filmmaker and environmentalist Éamon de Buitléar presented his archive collection to the University (p.3).

Dr T.K. Whitaker was on campus for the naming of the Whitaker Institute for Innovation and Societal Change (p.5) while Máire Geoghegan-Quinn was on campus to officially launch the Ryan Institute (p.��). During the summer months the new O’Shaughnessy Bridge connecting the campus with Fisheries Field was officially opened by Mayor of Galway City, Cllr. Terry O’Flaherty (p.6).

There are many research accolades and features throughout this edition including the announcement of the new Diabetes Centre and links with China and India (p.�5).

Students really did excel this semester with a record number of national awards, including an outstanding 30 awards at the annual NUI Awards, �8 of which were Dr Henry Hutchinson Stewart Medical Scholarships. This edition also covers the announcement of the Hardiman Scholarships, Postgraduate Scholarships, Colm Ó hEocha Bursary, the President’s prize and much more.

Other stories featuring in this edition include conferring ceremonies (p.4), student and staff awards (p.8 & 9), major events such as the Open Days, Sea�Sky and the Science and Technology Festival and the President’s page (p.7).

I would like to sincerely thank you all for the many contributions received throughout the year. While we endeavour to include all submissions space does not always allow and we will always try to include in a following edition.

Tá súil agam go mbeidh Nollaig Shona agus athbhliain faoi sheán agus faoi shíocháin díbh go léir.

Slán tamall

Michelle Ní ChróinínEditor

Ollscéala is published by the

Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh. Tel. 09� - 49336� E-mail: michelle.níchróinín@nuigalway.ie

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Éamon de Buitléar Presents Archive to NUI Galway /Cartlann de Buitléar ag OÉ Gaillimh

On Wednesday, �8 November, renowned film-maker and environmentalist Éamon de Buitléar presented his exceptional personal archive to NUI Galway. This multi-media archive collection spans some sixty years of creativity and reflects a broad range of Éamon de Buitléar’s professional and personal concerns.

The archive contains:• Éamon’s documentary film output over the course of his career;• Key materials relating to the history of broadcasting & film production in Ireland;• Original recordings and unique insights into the revival of Irish traditional music in the twentieth century with material relating to Seán Ó Riada, Ceoltóirí Chualann and Ceoltóirí Laighean;• Visual and audio records of interest in terms of historical environmental studies;• Culturally significant material within the de Buitléar family papers including manuscripts and A Dictionary of Irish Bird Names, compiled by An Coirnéal Éamon de Buitléar, former aide-de-camp to Dubhghlas de hÍde, the first President of Ireland.

Work on this multi-media project will be carried out by the James Hardiman Library and Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge and will process materials on film, video, audio tape and paper. A unique aspect of the collection is the contextualisation which has been provided by Éamon de Buitléar himself in the form of �0 hours of audio recordings describing the various facets of his work to project researcher, Micheál Holmes.

Dúirt Éamon de Buitléar agus an togra á sheoladh aige: “Saothar saoil atá sa chartlann seo. Is mór i gceist agam an timpeallacht, an teanga agus an ceol dúchais agus tá ríméad orm go bhfáilteofar roimh an mbailiúchán ina iomláine in OÉ Gaillimh. Tá sé fíor-thábhachtach go mbeadh teacht ag daoine óga agus pobal na Gaeltachta ar an mbailiúchán seo go furasta agus go saoráideach, i nGaeltacht Chonamara go háirithe.”

Mhol Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh, an bronnadh flaithiúil seo ar an Ollscoil ó lámh Éamoin: “Bronnadh thar a bheith gnaíúil é seo ó dhuine de cheannródaithe móra na craoltóireachta in Éirinn. Is cás le hÉamon gnéithe éagsúla dár n-oidhreacht – idir cheol, chultúr agus nádúr – agus rinne sé

saibhriú ar shaol na tíre gan trácht ar a chartlann phearsanta. Bainfidh an Ollscoil lánearraíocht as an acmhainn luachmhar seo de bharr an luí atá againn leis an nGaeilge agus le staidéar na físe.”

President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins also sent a personal message which was read at the launch extending his best wishes to Éamon de Buitléar as he donated his important collection to the University.

http://www.nuigalway.ie/eamon-de-buitlear-archive-launch/

Nollaig Mac Congáil, Registrar, Dónall Ó Braonáin, Príomhfheidhmeannach, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Róisín de Buitléar, Éamon de Buitléar agus a bhean Laillí, President Browne and John Cox, Librarian, James Hardiman Library.

Éamon de Buitléar ag seinnt san Aula Maxima

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Josie Sheáin Jeaic Mac DonnchaJosie Sheáin Jeaic Mac Donncha, who was conferred with an Honorary Masters of Arts, is a Sean-nós singer from Aird Thiar in Carna. He has won Corn Uí Riada three times. He also has a wide knowledge of folklore and the traditions of Iorras Aithneach and was the University singer in residence in the Irish Studies Centre in �00�.

Tom MacSweeneyFormer RTÉ marine correspondent Tom MacSweeney was conferred with an Honorary Masters of Science honoris causa. Tom won Maritime Person of the Year in �008. An experienced sailor, he completed the Round Ireland Race twice, and sailed the Atlantic from Florida to the UK. Tom retired from RTÉ in �0�0, and runs Seascapes Maritime Media and is Special Correspondent with The Marine Times.

Jim MurrenJim Murren, former Regional Manager for the IDA was conferred with a Masters in Commerce honoris causa.

Conferrings Almost 5,500 students graduated during the Autumn and Winter Conferring Ceremonies recently. Six Honorary Masters Degrees were also conferred during the ceremonies.

Seán Beattie & Helen MeehanSeán Beattie was conferred with a Masters of Arts honoris causa. Originally from Derry, a member of Donegal Historical Society and the Ulster Local History Trust, he has published several books on Donegal local history and contributed articles to journals and newspapers.

Helen Meehan, who was conferred with a Masters of Arts honoris causa, was recognised as an expert in folklore, genealogy and local history in County Donegal.

Pictured at the winter conferring is the first cohort of graduates from the discipline of Podiatry in the School of Health Sciences, which is the only undergraduate programme available in the Republic of Ireland leading to a BSc (Hons) in Podiatry.

Lillis Ó Laoire, Josie Sheáin Jeaic Mac Donncha, Úachtarán na hOllscoile, An Dr Browne

George Cunningham George Cunningham also received an honorary degree in recognition of his enormous contribution to heritage, conservation and education.

Access Awards Other recent ceremonies included students receiving certificates at the Access Awards Ceremony where certificates were presented by Professor Chris Curtin, Vice-President for Innovation and Performance. Receiving awards were 73 Access Students who graduated with degrees and a further �4 students who received post-graduate diplomas.

Aisling Ní Chatháin from Kilcock, Co. Kildare who attended Maynooth Post-Primary School, Maynooth is now studying Arts at NUI Galway was one of the Excellence Scholarship recipients.

Excellence Scholarships NUI Galway recently celebrated the success of a select group of first-year students with a special ceremony in recognition of the high points they achieved in the recent Leaving Certificate Examination. As part of the University’s annual Excellence Scholarships, 65 students received €�,000 each, along with a specially designed NUI Galway scroll

Pictured is the first cohort of graduates of the joint NUI Galway/University of Limerick Master of Science (Sustainable Resource Management: Policy and Practice) at NUI Galway’s Winter Conferring ceremony.

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The eminent economist and former Secretary of the Department of Finance, Dr T.K. Whitaker, was warmly received on campus recently as the University announced the establishment of the Whitaker Institute for Innovation and Societal Change.

Dr Whitaker played an instrumental role in devising the economic plan, which set Ireland on the road to regeneration in the early �960s. Drawing inspiration from his unparalleled service to Ireland, the newly formed Whitaker Institute serves as the country’s largest research body focused on contemporary and relevant business, social and policy issues.

Over �00 members make up the faculty with expertise spanning across the College of Business, Public Policy and Law and the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies. Subsuming the University’s Centre for Innovation and Structural

Change (CISC), the Whitaker Institute builds on a decade of research-excellence and policy-focused contributions supported by over €�� million in competitive national and international research funding.

Dr James Cunningham, Director of the Whitaker Institute, expressed the great honour he shared with Institute members at the endorsement of Dr Whitaker. “The Whitaker Institute brings together our talented research communities in business and social sciences that are committed to research excellence and to sharing their knowledge and expertise with wider communities nationally and internationally,” he stated. “It is a great honour for our research community to name the Institute after Dr Whitaker as his achievements, influence and contributions to this nation are in keeping with what we are seeking to achieve as Ireland rebuilds its economy and reimages its society.”

UL-NUI Galway Upskilling Course for Maths TeachersMinister for Research and Innovation, Mr Seán Sherlock TD recently opened the induction event of a new Up skilling Diploma for “out-of-field” secondary-school maths teachers.

The new two-year part-time programme is lead by the National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching & Learning at UL and was elaborated under the auspices of the Strategic Alliance. NUI Galway is involved in the local and online delivery of courses to teachers based around Galway, and will deliver an accredited diploma to the students who complete the programme successfully. “We were delighted to hear that the consortium had been successful in its bid”, says Dr Ray Ryan, Head of the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics at NUI Galway. “This was a highly competitive public tender call for a three-year contract.”

Fujitsu Ireland recently announced that Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu, the global ICT giant, will begin a significant investment in a research programme with DERI based in NUI Galway. The research will be conducted in the area of Networked Knowledge, identifying new models and commercial opportunities for exploiting the vast quantities of static and dynamic data on the Internet, making it more valuable to end-users. The programme has been supported by the Government through IDA and Science Foundation Ireland.

The research will be led by Professor Stefan Decker, Director of DERI and one of the leading scientists in the Semantic Web field. He and the research team will be investigating models and approaches for integrating and validating data available on the Internet with a view to enabling innovative applications and businesses to be designed and brought to the market across numerous industries.

The Whitaker Institute forInnovation and Societal Change

In picture, (l to r) Prof Stefan Decker, DERI at NUI Galway, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton T.D., Regina Moran, CEO of Fujitsu Ireland, Tatsuo Tomita, President, Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. and Ambassador Chihiro Atsumi, Japanese Ambassador to Ireland

NUI Galway’s Energy Management System to be Certified to ISO 50001NUI Galway has announced its Energy Management System (EnMS) will be certified to International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 5000�. The certification, which will be completed in September �0��, will cover the University campus in Galway, including more than ��0,000sqm of facilities, including teaching, leisure and sports, conference, laboratory and cutting-edge research facilities.

Fujitsu Announces Significant Research Programme with DERI

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Galway City Mayor, Cllr Terry O’Flaherty and Mr Keith Warnock, Vice-President for Capital Projects at the O’Shaughnessy Bridge launch with University staff and Galway City Council.

The O’Shaughnessy Bridge, which crosses the Eglinton Canal, is a suspension bridge of about 50 metres and is designed for use by both pedestrians and cyclists as part of a wider scheme to encourage sustainable travel in Galway City.

The project consisted of the design and construction of two bridges, the main one spanning the Eglinton Canal and a smaller one spanning a nearby mill race. It is part of the Smarter Travel initiative and provides a vital link between Fisheries Field and the Campus. The

project was promoted on a partnership basis by the University and Galway City Council.

Michael O’Shaughnessy (�864-�934), whom the bridge is named after, graduated in Civil Engineering from NUI Galway (then Queen’s College Galway) in �884. In �9�� he was appointed Chief Engineer of the City of San Francisco. As City Engineer, O’Shaughnessy commissioned the design and construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. The O’Shaughnessy Dam was named in his honour and provides water and electricity to �.4 million people in the city of San Francisco, San Mateo County, Alameda County, and the San Joaquin Valley.

At the handover of the keys of NUIG/GMIT Sub-Aqua Club’s new RIB, Alice Perry, were (l-r): Sean Lyons, The RIB Centre, Cork and Martin Timoney, NUIG/GMIT Sub-Aqua Club with members of the NUIG/GMIT Sub-Aqua Club.

In the year of its 50th anniversary, the NUIG/GMIT Sub-Aqua Club officially launched its new Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB), Alice Perry, at a special ceremony. Launched by the Vice-President for the Student Experience, Dr Pat Morgan, the RIB was blessed by the University’s Chaplain, Fr Diarmuid Hogan.

O’Shaughnessy Bridge Launch Launch of GIS Centre Registrar and Deputy President, Professor Nollaig Mac Congáil, recently launched the GIS Centre in the Ryan Institute. This event took place as part of the new international conference of �0�� Sino-European Symposium on Environment and Health (SESEH �0��) in the Bailey Allen Hall.

‘GIS’, Geographical Information System and/or Science, covers both technology and a rapidly growing science. It is used for analysing spatial data in many sectors of society, ranging from economics, government, business, and environmental management. The most popular applications of GIS in society are Google Earth and GPS navigation systems.

The launch of the GIS Centre was sponsored by Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi) Ireland’s National Mapping Agency and Supermap, a leading GIS company from China. As part of the GIS Centre launch NUI Galway launched its new MapGenie web map service, an exciting new online service from OSi which gives online access to mapping and imagery.

NUIG/GMIT Sub-Aqua Club Celebrating 50 Years Underwater!

Pictured (l-r): CEO of SuperMap, Professor Ershun Zhong; Director of Ryan Institute, Professor Colin Brown; Chief Executive of Ordnance Survey Ireland, Ms Geraldine Ruane; Professor Nollaig Mac Congáil; Head, GIS Centre, Dr Chaosheng Zhang.

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Focal ón Uachtarán

Tá Focal ón Uachtarán le fáil ar líne agus go dátheangach: www.nuigalway.ie/president/reports

A Chairde,

Agus �0�� ag teacht chun críche, is féidir linn súil a chaitheamh siar faoi shásamh ar bhliain a bhí rathúil agus inár chur muid lenár n-eachtaí d’ainneoin timpealleacht atá thar a bheith

dúshlánach i gconaí. As the end of the year approaches we can look back with satisfaction at a year of success and achievement, despite continuing challenges in the external environment.

One of the major highlights of the year has been our work in the area of archival digitization and special collections. In recent months we have announced three very significant projects in this area. In October we unveiled a major project to digitise the Abbey Theatre archive, which contains over �.8 million items and is one of the world’s most significant archival collections.

Last month, renowned film-maker and environmentalist, Éamon de Buitléar officially presented his personal archive to NUI Galway. This multi-media collection spans sixty years of creativity and reflects a broad range of Éamon de Buitléar’s professional and personal concerns.

Earlier in the year we announced our partnership with Mayo Co Council and Ballina Town Council in promoting scholarship around the new Ballina Visitor Centre to showcase the life and work of former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson.

These three initiatives have required considerable effort on the part of many academic and support colleagues. I would like to commend all those involved for their work in bringing these very significant projects to fruition.

Further development of our academic infrastructure is evident in the new buildings which are visibly progressing around the campus. Despite some initial delay, we anticipate the Arts, Humanities, Social Science Research building (AHSSRB) and the Arts Millennium Extension will be complete by Spring �0�3 and Biosciences building by Autumn �0�3.

Since June we launched two major new research institutes. In July, the Ryan Institute was officially launched by EU Commissioner, Máire Geoghegan Quinn. With over 300 researchers, the Ryan Institute is Ireland’s largest research institute for

environmental, marine and energy issues. The launch co-incided with a symposium entitled ‘Green Shift, Blue Growth, Bright Future?’ This conference featured leading international and NUI Galway experts in the environmental, marine, energy and smart infrastructure sectors.

In October we welcomed economist and former Secretary of the Department of Finance, Dr T.K. Whitaker, to campus as we announced the establishment of the Whitaker Institute. As many of you will know, Dr Whitaker played a vital role in setting Ireland on the road to regeneration in the early �960s. Drawing inspiration from his public service, the Whitaker Institute is the country’s largest research body focused on business, social and policy issues with investigators from the Colleges of Business, Public Policy & Law and Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies.

The Ryan and Whitaker Institutes emerged from centres established under the PRTLI programme supported by Atlantic Philanthropies. Established by the Irish-American businessman and philanthropist, Chuck Feeney, Atlantic Philanthropies has donated almost €800 million to Irish universities since �989. In an unprecedented gesture of recognition for Feeney’s transformative philanthropy, the nine universities of Ireland, North and South, conferred an honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) on Chuck Feeney on 6 September. Dr Feeney’s citation was given by former NUI Galway President, Dr Patrick Fottrell, now Chair of Science Foundation Ireland. See http://www.nui.ie/news/

One of the effects of Feeney’s support has been to establish private philanthropy as an important part of the university sector. NUI Galway has one of Ireland’s most effective university fundraising operations - Galway University Foundation. Last month, the Foundation’s US Board hosted its 6th Annual Gala Banquet to raise funds for our programmes and activities. The Gala, which honoured alumnus, Michael Higgins and Anjelica Huston (pictured), was a great success and raised over $�00,000 to support the Huston School of Film & Digital Media.

The winners of the President’s Awards for Teaching Excellence were presented with their awards at the Autumn conferring ceremonies. These awards recognise the efforts of academic staff to ensure our students receive the highest quality learning experience. The following outstanding teachers were presented with their Awards in October.

• Dr Ger Fleming, School of Natural Sciences• Dr Michael Lang, School of Business & Economics• Dr Bryan McCabe, School of Engineering & Informatics• Dr Maria Tuohy, School of Natural Sciences• Team Award: Earth & Ocean Sciences Final Year Project Team.

The achievements of these and other staff across the University have contributed to our growing success. International recognition for this success is evident in our enhanced position in a number of global rankings this year. We were one of only two Irish universities to improve our position in both the QS and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and were rated third of the Irish universities in the Times Higher Ranking. Along with the 5-star rating achieved in the QS Stars Rating earlier this year, it confirms that our position globally is on the rise.

Within Ireland we are firmly in the top tier Irish universities. There’s no reason that cannot further enhance this position. Our ambition is to lead in our priority areas of excellence – nationally and internationally - and we are making great progress in this regard.

So, we can reflect on a year of achievement in research and teaching, enhanced academic infrastructure and new buildings coming on stream. �0�3 will present its own challenges, but we are making great progress and well-placed to achieve further success. We cannot prosper without the continuing contribution of each staff member.

As �0�� draws to a close, I’d like to thank and commend each of you for your contribution throughout �0��. I offer my renewed thanks for your efforts. May I wish every staff member a peaceful and happy Christmas and every good wish for �0�3. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go leir.

Le gach dea-mhéin don Nollaig agus don Athbhliain.

James J. Browne PhD, DSc, MRIA, C.EngUachtarán – President

Pictured (l-r): Professor Rod Stoneman, Director of the Huston School of Film and Digital Media; actress Anjelica Huston; President Browne; and Tom Joyce, Galway University Foundation.

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the NCBES Centre for Pain Research at NUI Galway under the supervision of Dr David Finn and Dr Michelle Roche.

Physicist Wins International AwardNUI Galway’s Professor Colin O’Dowd (pictured above) has been awarded the Appleton Medal by the Institute of Physics for his ‘distinguished research in environmental and atmospheric physics’. In particular he was lauded for his work on the formation and transformation of aerosols, the tiny particles which can effect cloud formation and impact climate change.

National Teaching AwardDr John Morrissey (pictured above) is among fifteen higher education staff representing six different institutions recognised as exemplifying excellence in teaching at the annual National Academy for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (NAIRTL) awards.

Dr Morrissey is a Lecturer in Geography and Director of the MA in Environment, Society and Development. His research interests are in geopolitics and post-conflict development, which he has published on widely. He was an IRCHSS Fellow in �007/�008. His teaching is driven by a passion for engaging his students and to this end he is a keen advocate of both field-based learning and technology-enhanced learning. In �0�� Dr Morrissey won NUI Galway’s President’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

Law Reform Commission NUI Galway law lecturer Tom O’Malley (pictured top left) has been appointed by the Government to the Law Reform Commission. Donncha O’Connell (pictured top right) also lecturer in law at the University, has been reappointed to the Commission.

The Law Reform Commission is an independent, statutory body established under the Law Reform Commission Act �975. Its purpose is to keep the law under review and to make recommendations for law reform in keeping with the changing nature of Irish society. Its scope was expanded in �006 to include new projects on statute law restatement and the legislation directory.

O’Connell was the Dean of Law from �005-�008 and he continues to teach European Human Rights and Constitutional Law in the School of Law as well as teaching postgraduate students in Processes of Law Reform and Advocacy, Activism & Public Interest Law. Tom O’Malley is a Senior Lecturer in Law and a practising barrister specialising in judicial review.

International Fellow StatusThe International Union of Societies for Biomaterials Science and Engineering (IUSBSE) inducted Professor Abhay Pandit as an International Fellow in Biomaterials Science and Engineering in June. The IUSBSE is an international group of biomaterial societies that include the European, Chinese and American biomaterials societies.

Members of the IUSBSE – who have the life-long honorary title of “Fellow, Biomaterials Science and Engineering” (FBSE) are recognized as professionals of excellent professional standing with at least ten years of significant scientific and professional contribution in the field of science and engineering. Inducted Fellows have demonstrate continuing record of publication in refereed high impact factor journals. There are less than 300 FBSE worldwide including this year’s nominees. He is the first Irish academic to receive this prestigious title.

Staff AwardsRIA CommitteeDr Anne Byrne, School of Political Science and Sociology, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies was recently elected to the Royal Irish Academy, Social Sciences Committee for a four year term (�0��-�0�6). This is a multi-disciplinary scientific committee with a remit to pursue strategic and policy development within the Social Sciences on an All-Ireland basis.

International Society for Mountain MedicineDr Gerard Flaherty, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Medicine and Medical Education has been elected to the Council of the International Society for Mountain Medicine (ISMM) at the World Congress on Mountain Medicine held recently in Taipei. Dr Flaherty is widely recognised in his role as President of the Travel Medicine Society of Ireland as an expert on high altitude illness, and is frequently consulted on the subject by clinicians from Ireland and internationally. His special study module on High Altitude Medicine is popular amongst undergraduate medical students at NUI Galway.

Three Awards for EngineersThree NUI Galway engineers were honoured recently at the Bridge and Concrete Research in Ireland conference. The prestigious lifetime achievement award went to Eamonn Cannon, a recently retired Senior Lecturer; Dr Jamie Goggins received the young researcher award and this category was for researchers at an early stage in their careers; and best paper by a graduate student at the conference was awarded to Gerard O’Reilly.

President of International Biometric SocietyProfessor John Hinde, Statistics Group, School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics has been elected as the next President of the International Biometric Society. The term of office will begin as incoming Vice-President in �0�3, serving as President of the Society �0�4-�0�5 and then a further year as outgoing Vice-President in �0�6.

Pain Research AwardsResearchers from NUI Galway received prestigious prizes for their research posters presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Irish Pain Society, held in Galway recently. Elaine Jennings won first prize and the Pain Research Medal for her research on the impact of stress on pain and associated alterations in the body’s so-called endocannabinoid system.

Dr Bright Okine won third prize for his characterisation of changes in a nuclear receptor signaling system during pain. Both researchers work within Pharmacology and Therapeutics and

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Graduates and students of NUI Galway featured prominently at the annual National University of Ireland (NUI) Awards ceremony which took place recently in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham taking home a notable 30 awards.

Two NUI Travelling Studentships in the Sciences were awarded to graduates Martin Browne,

Biochemistry and Robert Richardson, Mechanical Engineering. The E.J. Phelan Fellowship in International Law was awarded to graduate John Reynolds. Other scholarships and awards include the French Government Medal and Prize for Proficiency in French which was awarded to Mariana Tempesti, with the Pierce Malone Scholarship in Engineering presented to Robert

Richardson. The Club London Scholarship was awarded to Film Studies student Conor Burke.

The Scoláireacht agus Duais Chiste Theach an Ardmhéara sa Ghaeilge/Mansion House Fund Scholarship and prizes went to Senan Mac Aoidh and Luke Callinan.

Four Dr Henry Stewart Literary Scholarships and Prizes were presented to: Ruth Cormican, French; Fionnuala Fadian, Gaeilge; Lindsay Shorten, Italian; and Paul Griffin, Spanish.

A total of �8 Dr Henry Hutchinson Stewart Medical Scholarships and Prizes were awarded to the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. Recipients were Antionette Flannery, Clinical Radiology; Cliona Small and Jennifer Small, Gynaecology and Obstetrics; Caoilfhionn Connolly, Medical Microbiology; Laura Nestor, Medicine; Elizabeth Howard, Midwifery; Yvonne McDonagh, Nursing; Jennifer Scott, Paediatrics; Sarah Cormican, Pathology; Cillian McNamara and Conor Fahy, Pharmacology; Sinead Coen, Physiology; Craig MacLiathain and Darren Kilmartin, Public Health; Elaine O’Connell, Occupational Therapy; Patricia Ruane and Veronica Smith, Podiatry; and Sorcha Rabbitte, Speech and Language Therapy.

Student and Graduate Awards

Undergraduate AwardsFour recent NUI Galway graduates received gold medals from the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, having won various categories in the �0�� Undergraduate Awards. The Ireland-based academic awards programme identifies top students across the island of Ireland for their innovative undergraduate research. The four winning students, along with the 35 other UA winners, were brought to Dublin for the awards ceremony and UA Summit.

Hamilton Prize Winner goes to HarvardNUI Galway graduate and �0�� Hamilton Prize winner, Fionnuala Connolly, is about to embark on a PhD in Engineering and Applied Sciences in Harvard University. Having recently completed a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics at NUI Galway, Fionnuala has been offered a full scholarship as well as a Pierce Fellowship which is awarded to the top 5% of graduate students. While at Harvard, Fionnuala is hoping to work in a field related to modelling in engineering or medicine, possibly with links to neurosciences.

Isaac Burke, Neasa O’Callaghan, Marek Bohacek, and Cathal Kelly with their 2012 Undergraduate Award medals

NUI Awards

Gradam CumarsáidBhuaigh Orla Bradshaw, céimí de chuid an BA sa Chumarsáid in Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, gradam ‘Iriseoir na Bliana �0��’ ag Gradaim Chumarsáide an Oireachtais i dtús an tsamhraidh. Tá Orla ag obair mar iriseoir leis an nuachtán Gaeilge Foinse ón uair ar chríochnaigh sí a céim in ionad an Acadaimh ar an gCeathrú Rua in Aibreán na bliana �0�0. Ceapadh í ina hEagarthóir Nuachta le Foinse faoi Shamhain �0�0.

Professor Tom Sherry, Dean of the College of Science; Dr Ray Ryan, Head of the School of Mathematics; Professor Michel Destrade, Head of Applied Mathematics; and Fionnuala Connolly, recipient of the prestigious Hamilton Prize

Treasa Uí Lorcáin, Riarthóir Ionad an Acadaimh ar an gCeathrú Rua; Orla Bradshaw; agus Uinsionn Mac Dubhghaill ón Aonad Cumarsáide san Acadamh.

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Book LaunchProfessor Nollaig Mac Congáil launched the book Translation, Technology and Autonomy in Language Teaching and Learning on �6 September which was The European Day of Languages.

The articles in this volume are the proceedings of a conference held at NUI Galway in �0�0. This multilingual volume brings together contributions from academics, language teachers and practitioners from across Europe and beyond, and covers interrelated research topics regarding language learning and teaching methodologies. The book was edited by Pilar Alderete-Díez, Dr Laura Incalcaterra McLoughlin, Labhaoise Ní Dhonnchadha and Dr Dorothy Ní Uigín of NUI Galway, and includes among its articles ones by Dr Patrick Farren, Belinda McHale and Éamon Ó Cofaigh, also of NUI Galway.

Slavery and BeyondRecently published, American Slavery, Atlantic Slavery, and beyond: The U.S. “Peculiar Institution” in International Perspective, authored by Enrico Dal Lago, (Paradigm Publishers, �0��).

American Slavery, Atlantic Slavery, and Beyond provides an up-to-date summary of past and present views of American slavery in international perspective and suggests new directions for current and future comparative scholarship.

The Disarmament of HatredA new book by a lecturer in Modern European History Dr Gearóid Barry, explores the period between the two world wars. The Disarmament of Hatred: Marc Sangnier, French Catholicism and the Legacy of the First World War, 1914-45, illuminates a remarkable Franco-German peace movement instigated in �9�� by war veteran and French Catholic politician Marc Sangnier. Dr Barry’s transnational study examines the European resonance of Sangnier’s Peace Congresses in the interwar period.

Education Matters Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD recently launched the Education Matters Yearbook 2012. Now in its sixth edition, and supported this year by NUI Galway, Education Matters Yearbook 2012 is a contemporaneous, living history of Irish education over the course of the last year. Compiled and presented to complement other seminal Irish educational publications - curriculum, policy and research, the book collects in one publication key voices and perspectives - national and international - on key policy, practice and pedagogy developments and innovations in �0��.

Dr Tony Hall of NUI Galway and Editor said: “Education Matters Yearbook 2012 provides an invaluable, unified resource of information about Irish education - practice, policy and pedagogy - from across all sectors of the educational system: preschool and early childhood, primary, post-primary, the Irish language, third and fourth levels. It is a unique repertory of information and insight on Irish education.”

NUI Galway and Corinthians U21s Scrum Together for 2012-13 Season As Connacht commenced their second season in the Heineken European Rugby Cup, a new and exciting rugby development at U�� level in the province this year is the amalgamation of NUI Galway U��s with Corinthians RFC U��s.

Pictured with President Browne at the launch of the new jersey for the NUI Galway - Corinthians 2012/13 Season is Paddy Hennelly, President of the NUI Galway Rugby Club (back left) and John Campbell, President of the Corinthians Rugby Club (back right). Also pictured are players Micheál Roche, NUI Galway and Craig Joyce, Corinthians.

Pictured at the launch of the Education Matters Yearbook 2012 Dr Tony Hall, NUI Galway and Editor of Education Matters Yearbook and Minister for Education and Science, Ruairi Quinn. Photograph by Brendan Lyon/ImageBureau.

Rugby launch

New Book on Higher Education and Civic EngagementHigher Education Authority Chief Executive, Tom Boland recently launched a new book, Higher Education and Civic Engagement: Comparative Perspectives. Edited by Lorraine Mc Ilrath and Ann Lyons from CELT and Professor Ronnie Munck, Head of Civic Engagement at DCU, the new book was launched following a round-table discussion on how to move forward the civic engagement agenda in Irish higher education institutions.

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NUI Galway has been awarded a major new €6 million European project, designed to address complications associated with diabetes. The research project will examine the ability of stem cells to safely control glucose levels and alleviate the damage caused by six different diabetic complications.

Professor Timothy O’Brien, Director of the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) at NUI Galway, who is also a Consultant in Endocrinology at Galway University Hospitals, will co-ordinate the project. Orbsen Therapeutics Limited, an NUI Galway spin-out company, is the lead SME on the project. Clinical trials will take place in Ireland and Denmark using stem cells

discovered by Orbsen. In total, nine new research jobs are to be created in Ireland by the project.“At the moment, there are very few treatment options available to control the initiation and progression of these complications”, explains Professor O’Brien. “In addition, there are no treatments which will improve glucose levels and simultaneously treat the diabetic complication. These complications therefore continue to be a major challenge for clinicians and patients alike.”The REDDSTAR project, originally conceived by Dr Steve Elliman, Head of Research & Development at Orbsen Therapeutics, will take place over two phases. The first will examine which diabetic complication responds best to stem cell treatment in various models of diabetes.

The second phase will involve a clinical trial at the Steno Diabetes Centre in Denmark, in collaboration with clinicians at the Diabetes Centre in Galway University Hospitals, specifically in the complication which showed the most promising results in the first phase.

Orbsen Therapeutics Limited was formed as a spin-out company to advance and commercialise new intellectual property developed by researchers at the SFI-funded REMEDI at NUI Galway. The University has become a leading centre of translational research in adult stem cells involving its National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES) and REMEDI.

Professor Colin Brown, Director of the Ryan Institute, with Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn

NUI Galway’s Ryan Institute for Environmental, Marine and Energy Research was officially launched on �0 July, by Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, the EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science. The Ryan Institute has over 300 researchers making it Ireland’s largest research institute to focus on some of the most pressing environmental and energy issues of the ��st century.

The official launch coincided with a public symposium, opened by Pat Rabbitte TD, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, was entitled ‘Green Shift, Blue Growth, Bright Future?’ and featured leading international experts in the environmental marine, energy and smart infrastructure research.

Former Under Secretary for Energy with the Obama administration, Dr Kris Johnson, is one of the newly appointed Advisory Board for the Institute and is joined on the board by Dr Aaron Bernstein of Harvard Medical School, Dr Lisa Amini of IBM, Dr Niall McDonough of the European Science Foundation and Dr James Cunningham of NUI Galway.

Ryan Institute Officially Launched

REMEDI and Orbsen Therapeutics win €6 million European funding

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Dr Niall Ó Dochartaigh, School of Political Science and Sociology with Benedict Anderson (left).

For a second year in a row, the free day-long research festival, Sea�Sky, has been hailed as a huge success. Organised by NUI Galway, up to �0,000 visitors attended exhibitions in three different locations in Galway and in CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork.

Sea�Sky was part of European Researchers Night, which took place across 800 venues in 3�0 cities. Throughout Europe, the general public were encouraged to participate in experiments, competitions and quizzes, to watch

demonstrations and simulations, to exchange ideas and get to know researchers.

CERN, the world’s leading laboratory for particle physics brought ‘Accelerating Science’, its flagship travelling exhibition exclusively to Galway recently in partnership with the Galway Science & Technology Forum and sponsored by Boston Scientific. NUI Galway and GMIT with assistance from Science Foundation Ireland also participated in the Exhibition by providing physics experts for Facilitated Tours.

Professor Benedict Anderson, world-renowned theorist of nationalism and author of the seminal book Imagined Communities, spoke to a packed theatre on ‘Nationalism and Time’ in September. The talk was jointly sponsored by the School of Political Science and Sociology and the Moore Institute and organised by Dr Niall Ó Dochartaigh.

Benedict Anderson is Aaron L. Binenkorb Professor Emeritus of International Studies, Government & Asian Studies at Cornell University, and is best known for his celebrated book Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism (�983). Professor Anderson is a world leading theorist of nationalism and an expert on South East Asian politics and culture.

Pictured L-R are: Shivaun Quinlivan, LLM Programme Director; Frankson Musukwa; Gabriel De Barros; Innocentia Mgijima; President Browne; Alberto Vasquez Encalada; Kiran Wagle; Sindile Mhlanga; Pooja Bhandari; Professor Gerard Quinn, Director, Centre for Disability Law and Policy.

President Browne recently welcomed a cohort of SOROS Open Society Foundations scholars to Galway as they embarked on their studies on the LLM in International & Comparative Disability Law and Policy. The LLM programme, one of the first of its kind in the world and now in its second year, is supported by the international philanthrophic organisation SOROS Open Society Foundations, this year in the form of seven full-time scholarships for students from Nepal, Peru, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

SOROS Scholars join Disability Masters

Commisioner Geoghegan-Quinn engages with young visitors to Sea2Sky. Also pictured is NUI Galway’s Dr Andy Shearer.

Imagined Communities

Sky-High Success for Sea2Sky

Postgraduate ScholarshipsNUI Galway has announced details of a new scholarships scheme for postgraduate students designed to reward exceptional achievement. Postgraduate Scholarships valued at €�,500 per student will be awarded to all students studying a postgraduate taught Masters programme in the year �0�3/�4 who have a first class honours undergraduate degree. The new initiative is open to postgraduate students, applying for a fulltime Taught Masters programme due to commence in autumn �0�3. Scholarships will be awarded to students accepted on a fulltime taught masters and who fulfill the criteria as outlined by the University.

Interested students should visit the NUI Galway website for further detail about the scholarships and for information about the general postgraduate student application process: www.nuigalway.ie/postgraduate/scholarships.

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Irish Scientist Takes on Incurable Cancer with HRB Award The Health Research Board (HRB) has announced it is to invest €�� million to build the capacity of research leadership in hospitals through its clinician scientist programme.

One of the clinician scientists chosen is Michael O’Dwyer, Professor of Haematology at NUI Galway and Consultant Haematologist, University Hospital Galway, who will head up a €�.7 million project.

Professor O’Dwyer aims to increase our understanding of the white blood cell cancer called Multiple Myeloma (MM). Despite major advances in treatment, MM remains incurable, and in patients with high-risk disease, who

NUI Galway recently announced that in a joint initiative Cancer Care West and the Galway University Foundation have donated €� million to provide fully funded scholarships for ten PhD students. The Cancer Care West Hardiman scholars will perform translational and clinical research in the area of Cancer Biology, Therapeutics and all aspects of oncology at the University and the associated University Hospital Galway.

The Hardiman Research Scholarships offer opportunities for suitably qualified individuals to pursue a structured postgraduate degree by research. Structured PhD programmes, while retaining the focus on the advancement of knowledge through original research of traditional programmes, also provide professional development modules in subject-specific and transferable skills.

Business Innovation Centre Client Company Wins AwardNUI Galway business client company, Full Health Medical was named the Best Emerging company at the Connacht and Leinster final of the �0�� InterTradeIreland Seedcorn all-island business competition.

Full Health Medical which is based in the Business Innovation Centre beat tough competition from the other Connacht and Leinster finalists in its category to win €�0,000 to help finance the early stages of their ventures. The company will now go on to compete in the all-island final of the competition, which will take place at the iconic Titanic Belfast building.

Open Forum on Agile-Lean Software Development Lero Research Centre and the Institute of Business, Social Sciences and Public Policy held an open forum on Agile-Lean Software Development recently involving �6 companies from across Ireland. The forum was lead by Ken Power of Cisco Systems and Dr Kieran Conboy of NUI Galway.

This forum was part of a €�.8m SFI funded research project at NUI Galway (agilelean.lero.ie), which aims to create a world class network of excellence in software management covering contemporary approaches such as lean, agile, portfolio and open innovation, and based on contemporary research in collaboration with local and national industry partners. This multi-disciplinary research brings together researchers from the Whitaker Institute and the Lero national research centre. The €�.8m initiative involves 3 research fellows, 5 full-time and 3 industry-based PhDs in NUI Galway. In addition to this, the project includes the dedicated time from more than �0 staff from companies such as Cisco, Information Mosaic, Almir, Intel and Storm Technologies amongst others.

Rapid Diagnosis of Pneumonia Vital for Best Possible Outcome

Hardiman Research Scholarships

Pictured is Chairman of Cancer Care West, John McNamara presenting the cheque for €1 million to President Browne

account for up to �5% of patients, life expectancy is less than three years. MM is the second most common blood cancer in Ireland with approximately �50 new cases each year. It typically affects older individuals with two-thirds of patients over 65 years of age and as the population ages the incidence and prevalence is increasing.

Researchers at NUI Galway led by Dr Thomas Barry, Principal Investigator of the MDRG which is based in Microbiology along with Dr’s Nina Tuite and Kate Reddington, are involved in a new European project which hopes to deliver a cost effective tool for the speedy diagnosis of infections such as pneumonia. The test would reduce diagnosis time from days to hours, so that the appropriate treatments can be administered as early as possible for the best possible outcome.

Respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia, are amongst the top four major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation, pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children, killing an estimated �.4 million children under the age of five each year.

The Molecular Diagnostics Research Group (MDRG) at NUI Galway is part of an international consortium involved in the project, funded by the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Development (FP7). A total grant of €6 million was awarded with the contribution to NUI Galway close to €� million. The MDRG joins University College London, the French diagnostic company Genewave, the Finnish Biotech company Mobidiag, and Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris in this consortium.

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Bronnadh Duais Alan P. Merriam ar an leabhar Bright Star of the West: Joe Heaney, Irish Song Man (Oxford 2012) le Sean Williams agus an Dr Lillis Ó Laoire le déanaí. Bronntar an duais The Alan P. Merriam prize ar an leabhar is fearr sa Bhéarla i ngort na hEitnicheoleolaíochta don tréimhse dhá bhliain roimhe sin. Is é an duais is gradamúla é dá mbronnann an Society for Ethnomusicology, cumann gairmiúil do scoláirí an cheoil dúchais ar fud an domhain. Is i New Orleans, Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá a bronnadh an gradam. Bhí comhdháil SEM ar siúl in éineacht le comhdhálacha The American Music Society agus le The Society for Music Theory i mbliana.

The Alan P. Merriam prize for outstanding book in Ethnomusicology �0�� has been won by the book Bright Star of the West: Joe Heaney, Irish Song Man (Oxford �0��), by Sean Williams and Lillis Ó Laoire. It is the Society for Ethnomusicology’s most prestigious prize. The Society for Ethnomusicology (SEM) is a world-wide organization for scholars of traditional music. The Prize was presented in New Orleans at the SEM annual conference. The conferences of the American Music Society and the Society for Music Theory were also held simultaneously with SEM.

In a landmark paper published in the prestigious international journal Current Biology, ��0 marine experts worldwide, including Professor Mike Guiry of NUI Galway’s Ryan Institute, have come together to estimate how many species there are in our oceans. The answer will come as something of a disappointment to those who claim more than a million marine species because the authors show that the true number is less than a quarter of that. About ��5,000 species have been described to date, and the final tally is likely to be about 500,000.

Previous estimates of a million marine species were based on unreliable figures passed from textbook to textbook and gaining credence when uttered by some famous individual at international conferences.

Family Day Attracts overs 20,000 on campus The �5th Galway Science and Technology Festival, part of National Science Week and sponsored by Medtronic Galway officially opened on �� November and continued until Sunday �5 November where the Final Family Day Exhibition took place on campus, attended by over �0,000 visitors. The festival included free shows and activities for primary and secondary school students. The festival aims to increase the uptake and popularity of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects among young people by bringing shows to schools throughout Galway city and county over the two-week free event.

The Common Knobbed Star(Pentaceraster mammillatus) and the seagrass Thalassia hemprichii. Zanzibar, Indian Ocean © M.D. Guiry/AlgaeBase.

Marine Expert among International Researchers to Publish Findings

Bright Star of the West

Professor Mike Guiry has to date catalogued �30,000 names of algae, including 34,000 species. Of these, about half are marine, and include some 9,500 seaweeds. This is the only global species database in Ireland.

Speaking on the findings, Professor Guiry said: “We do not yet know how many species there are in the world, estimates vary from 5-50 million, but the most reliable recent estimates are that �.9 million, with the insects accounting for more than � million.”

Professor Guiry’s forthcoming book, A Catalogue of Irish Seaweeds, will show that 7.5% of all seaweeds occurs in Ireland, which is extraordinary for the size and geographical spread of the island, and contrasts strongly with our native flowering-plants, which amount to no more than 0.�5% of the world’s 350,000-400,000 species.

A young visitor enjoying the Science and Technology Festival. Photo Hany Marzouk

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Officials from the Chinese Government Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) visited the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) at NUI Galway recently.

Organised by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Ireland, the visit was a follow-up to the signing of collaborative research agreements between REMEDI and two Chinese research institutes based in Shanghai and Xi’an earlier this year. The collaboration will see the partners work together in the areas of regenerative medicine clinical

trials, particularly in the areas of diabetes and orthopaedics. As part of their visit the officials from MOST had the opportunity to see the Centre for Cell Manufacturing Ireland (CCMI) at NUI Galway, which is a specially designed facility for manufacturing GMP-grade stem cells for use in human clinical trials. At present there is no similar facility in China. REMEDI hopes to work with its collaborators and the Chinese Government to help set up similar resources in China, ultimately opening up new opportunities for partnership in the area of clinical trials using stem cells.

MOUs with Indian Institutes Ireland-India research relations have been further strengthened by the signing of agreements between the Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB) and four Indian institutions, all four of which are instrumental in supporting the medical device and biotechnology sectors in India.

NFB will now collaborate with colleagues in: The Materials Research Centre at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore; the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur; the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi; and the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Science and Technology, Trivandrum.

The four institutes are part of the ‘Institutes of National Importance’ (INI), a status conferred by an act of Indian parliament to higher education institutes which ‘serve as pivotal players in developing highly skilled personnel within the specified region of the country/state’. INI’s receive special funding and recognition and the Indian government has awarded this status to just 39 institutions.

The exchange will develop stronger links with the international community and will result in the recruitment of high calibre students, as INI’s get India’s top graduates. The collaboration will also enable the leveraging of research funding through Indian funders and the involvement of the NFB will aid in creating the critical mass of biomaterials translation in Ireland.

Pictured at the launch of the Galway Diabetes Centre at NUI Galway (l-r): Professor Fidelma Dunne, School of Medicine and Co-director of the Galway Diabetes Research Centre; President Browne; Speaker Kenneth Sweeney, Senior Footballer with Sligo and �� years living with Diabetes; and Professor Tim O’Brien, Director of REMEDI, and co-director of the new Centre.

With a particularly high prevalence of Diabetes in the Western Region of the country, NUI Galway and Galway and Roscommon University Hospital Group have joined forces to create the Galway Diabetes Research Centre.

The Galway Diabetes Research Centre (GDRC) will bring together an interdisciplinary research consortium of active researchers and clinicians. GDRC members comprise of individuals from across the diverse disciplines including psychology, engineering, economics, health promotion, nursing, midwifery, podiatry and information technology, all of whom have a track record in the field of diabetes.

Based at NUI Galway, the GDRC will link researchers from these diverse disciplines to strengthen and develop close links with clinicians from Galway and Roscommon University Hospital Group and the hospitals linked to the University’s regional Medical Academies.

Chinese Research Links

New Diabetes Centre

Pictured is Liya Dong, Deputy Director General, Department of Science & Technology Development, MOST and President Browne. (Standing l-r) Anna Cunningham, Director, International Affairs; Shuhua Wang, MOST; Xiaolin Guo, MOST; Professor Timothy O’Brien, REMEDI; Zhijun Yang, MOST; Dr Brian Hughes, Dean of International Affairs; Kaiyuan Long, MOST; Professor Lokesh Joshi, NUI Galway; and Professor Sanbing Shen, REMEDI.

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The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Interpretation, Mr Marco Benedetti recently visited Galway and met President Browne as well as staff and students of the MA/PDip (Conference Interpreting) currently being taught at the University.

Mr Benedetti addressed a group of language students on issues related to the use of languages and multilingualism in the EU, with a special emphasis on interpretation.

Emphasising the importance of interpreter training, Marco Benedetti said: “The primary responsibility for training conference interpreters lays with the member states and in particular their universities. NUI Galway and in particular Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge is the only Conference Interpreter training course on the entire island of Ireland and the only source of Irish language interpreters in the world so its activities should be nurtured.”

Music for Galway’s archive has been catalogued at the James Hardiman Library and was recently launched by founding member Erika Casey. Ranging in date from �98� to �0�� the archive includes numerous series of original records documenting the Irish and international acts that played to audiences across Galway and the West of Ireland. The archive traces the relationship between Music for Galway and NUI Galway, as the group found a home for concerts and their grand piano at the Aula Maxima on the University’s campus.

The archive consists of nineteen boxes of records comprising of a comprehensive record of Music for Galway’s legacy. These include records of productions including

posters, flyers, invitations, programs, press releases and number of black and white and colour photographs of Music for Galway committee members, musicians and concerts. Financial records, details of membership and rates, correspondence between Music for Galway and various musicians and groups, newsletters and press cuttings of news and coverage of concerts and events are also included in the archive.

Music for Galway’s archive will offer researchers a unique insight into the establishment and growth of one the West’s premier music groups while documenting the creative and administrative processes of Music for Galway’s numerous achievements.

Conference Interpreting Students Get EU briefing

Dr Enda O’Connell, a senior technical officer with the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, has been named a winner in a new online science engagement event. Dr O’Connell won first prize in the health category of I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here!, which saw scientists chatting with students from 36 schools across the island of Ireland over the course of two weeks. Students took part in quickfire Facebook-style online live chats, asking the scientists all sorts of questions before voting for their favourite scientist to win a prize of €500.

Pictured with Marco Benedetti are students of the MA in Conference Interpreting Breda Ní Mhaoláin (left) and Anthony Hoyte West (2nd right); and Susan Folan, Programme Director of the MA in Conference Interpreting

Music for Galway

The NUI Galway sailing campaign has been named the Irish Cruiser Racing Association’s (ICRA) ‘Boat of the Year’. ICRA is the organising authority of Irish yacht racing. Nine boats from around Ireland were shortlisted for their ‘Boat of the Year’ award for having excelled at national and international level. The ICRA Judges said the student based campaign embodied the spirit of ICRA with a campaign that featured competition in many venues around the country. NUI Galway campaign manager Cathal Clarke said the campaign’s aim in �0�� was to inspire other sailors from the West Coast to undertake similar projects and promote amateur offshore sailing.

NUI Galway is a Reflex 38 based out of Galway Bay Sailing Club and was prepared for and raced in the �0�� Round Ireland Yacht Race by students and recent graduates of NUI Galway. The students won Class � and were the first Irish fixed keel boat, finishing sixth overall.

Pictured at a special reception hosted by the University is: The owner of the boat and a main supporter of the campaign Martin Breen; Ruaidhrí de Faoite, (Mechanical Engineering 2012); Cathal Clarke College of Science (MSc Earth and Ocean Science); Joan Mulloy, College of Engineering and Informatics (Civil Engineering 2011); Eoin Breen, (Commerce 2nd year); Vice President for Student Experience, Dr Pat Morgan.

Boat of the Year

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Druid’s award winning director Garry Hynes recently launched the Creative Edge project. The Whitaker Institute for Innovation and Societal Change will lead the project which will help creative businesses in Europe’s Northern Periphery to export to new markets and nurture emerging creative talent.

The project received €�.� million in funding through the European Union’s Interreg Initiative under the Northern Periphery Programme (NPP) and brings together universities, development agencies and industry bodies from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland and Sweden.

The main objective of the Creative Edge project is promote the active participation of local creative organisations and businesses in global markets while also aiding them in their ability to attract and utilise local emerging

creative talent in these markets. This is important as the creative economy is increasingly seen to be a major area of growth in the coming decades for rural peripheral regions. Studies continue to show how the creative sector is a leading indicator of global growth. The cultural and creative sector is globally one of the fastest growing. Estimates value the sector at 7% of the world’s GDP and forecast �0% growth per year.

According to NUI Galway’s Dr Patrick Collins lead researcher on the project: “When you look at the emerging trend of increased demand for goods and services that are authentic, sustainable, and that tell a story, you are looking at the growth of the creative economy. The west of Ireland, and other regions on the edge of Europe stand to gain from the promotion of small and medium enterprises with creative offerings.”

Human Rights ConferenceNUI Galway’s Irish Centre for Human Rights recently hosted the ��nd EU China Human Rights Seminar. The event brought together approximately 50 Chinese and European academic and civil society experts from some �8 institutions, as well as a small number of officials from both sides, to discuss human rights issues of mutual concern. Topics discussed at the two-day conference were ‘Human Rights, the Environment and the Right to Development’ and ‘Protecting the Rights of Migrant Workers’.

The EU has been taking part in a twice-yearly Human Rights Dialogue with the Chinese authorities since �996. This political process has been supported since �998 at the academic level by the EU-China Human Rights Seminar process. Responsibility for logistical organisation of the Seminars on the Chinese side has continuously resided with the Law Institute of the Chinese Academy for Social Science (CASS), China’s leading academic institute in the area of the social sciences. The Irish Centre for Human Rights is the longest serving institutional organiser of the event in Europe, having been awarded a three year contract to lead the strategic development of the Seminar process in �00� and a second four year contract in March �009.

New Prize to Honour PresidentThe School of Political Science and Sociology will host new prize – known as the President Michael D. Higgins Prize – for its undergraduates across all programmes.

The prize will be awarded on an annual basis to the best undergraduate essay submitted for course work assessment and is in recognition of the President’s former role as lecturer within the School and for his contribution to public intellectual life while a Senator and a TD.

The prize will run for the life of the current Presidency and will be awarded at the end of each academic year.

“The prize is both about acknowledging the contribution of the President to teaching and learning in the University while he was here and about encouraging students to think about their course work as valid social and political enquiry in itself – not just a requirement for assessment” commented Dr Eilis Ward who was involved in discussions with Arás an Uachtaráin about the prize. The winning student will be awarded each year with a small cash prize and a piece of art work, commissioned from local artists, to be presented in a ceremony attended by President Higgins.

€1.1 Million in EU Funding to Research Creative Economy

Dr Patrick Collins and Garry Hynes

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The School of Education recently developed and launched the Sci-Hook Series, an innovative APPLE iBook resource for science educators. Sci-Hooks are introductory video clips which aim to grab the learner’s attention by capturing what is interesting and engaging about a range of science topics. The series forms part of the School of Education’s mission to build collaborative and supportive partnerships with second-level schools.

Dr Veronica McCauley and Seán Ó Grádaigh, lecturers from the School of Education led this Science Education Research project with a design team of student science teachers from the Professional Diploma in Education and Dioplóma Gairmiúil san Oideachas programmes.

Dr Mary Fleming said: “Engaging student interest in a learning process which is relevant and connected with the students’ own life experiences not only determines what they will learn, but also the depth of learning and degree to which they process the material being taught.”

These Sci-Hook resources have been developed into a set of three iBooks - Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with over �0 videos and support material available in each category, with over 30 Sci-Hooks created for the Junior Science classroom.

At the Swim Ireland Launch of the new Connacht Performance Centre, based at the Kingfisher Club in NUI Galway is student and Sports Scholarship recipient Angela O’Connor with (l-r): Joe Cosgrove, Director Kingfisher Club; President Browne; and Tony Farrell, President, Swim Ireland. The Centre is designed specifically to provide additional training hours, develop skills, provide opportunities for the best swimmers to train together on a weekly basis and provide support to club, coaches and athletes.

NUI Galway recently held its annual Career Mentoring Day giving �5 students from the University’s J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics the opportunity to meet with volunteer mentors holding senior positions across various professions on a one-to-one basis.Bachelor of Commerce graduate and Executive Vice President of The Coca-Cola Company, Irial Finan took time during a business trip to Ireland this week to visit his Alma Mater, the J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics at NUI Galway.

Mr Finan, who is also President of the Bottling Investments Group and Supply Chain, was on hand to talk to students of the Masters in International Management, passing on his valuable expertise in the arena of international management.

At the launch of the Sci-Hooks Series was (l-r): Dr Veronica McCauley, School of Education; President Browne; Dr Mary Fleming, Director of Teacher Education; and Seán Ó Grádaigh, School of Education.

Swim Ireland Launch Mentoring Fair

Sci-Hooks

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Weather Smartphone AppLocal Galway City weather is now available on your smartphone via an android app. The app arose from a collaboration between the disciplines of Information Technology and Civil Engineering. The weather data is provided by the IRUSE research group led by Dr Marcus Keane, Lecturer in Energy Systems Engineering.

The app is free and can be found by searching ‘NUIG Weather’ on Android app store. The app provides live weather data (such as temperature, wind speed, wind direction, rainfall and atmospheric pressure) as well as graphs of archived data so that you can review trends in weather over last day or month. The weather data is also available via web browser from http://weather.nuigalway.ie. The app development was carried out by Ronan Everiss, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology graduate under the supervision of Dr Hugh Melvin.

Historic University Calendars Digitised The historic University Calendars of National University Ireland, Galway, have been made available on-line following a recent digitisation initiative at the James Hardiman Library. The Historic Calendar project provides a unique insight into the history, development and achievements of Galway’s university, as well as full graduate lists of its alumni since its foundation in �845. This project provides digital access to the calendars from �85� and from �888 to �934.

The calendars of Queen’s College Galway/University College Galway are available in full and online at this link: http://archives.library.nuigalway.ie/calendars

Camino de SantiagoThe final stretch of the Camino de Santiago from Sarria in Spain is a five-day walk through Galicia’s beautiful landscapes. Many people who are short of time walk the route and are able to gain their pilgrim’s certificate by completing this final ��3km. The trip is being organized by the Chaplaincy and is open to all staff, students and alumni. In March �0�3 there will be two meetings for pilgrims, covering everything a pilgrim needs to know (health & safety, preparation, meeting one another, etc). Email chaplains@nuigalway.ie for more information or to join the group.

Cois Coiribe 2012The �0�� edition of Cois Coiribe is now available online at http://www.nuigalway.ie/alumni-friends/publications.html

Christmas HolidaysThe University’s administrative offices will close at 5.�5 p.m. on Friday, �� December �0�� and re-open at 9.�5 a.m. on Thursday, 3 January �0�3

Pictured are Millstreet Community School Living Scenes group with Dr Mary Surlis, Living Scenes Programme Director.

In Brief

Opening the recent Volunteering Fair was Galway City Mayor, Councillor Terry O’ Flaherty with Mary Ann Larkin of the Hope Foundation and NUI Galway ALIVE volunteer Robert Hogan from Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.

Colm Ó hEochaSheol OÉ Gaillimh Sparánacht Choilm Uí Eocha le gairid Bunaíodh an Sparánacht i gcuimhne an Dr Choilm Uí Eocha, nach maireann. Is fiú €3,000 an Sparánacht agus bronnfar é go bliantúil ar an gcéimí de chuid OÉ Gaillimh atá cláraithe ar Chlár Máistreachta Múinte san Ollscoil a chuirtear ar fáil trí mheán na Gaeilge agus a bhfuil an céatadán foriomlán is airde bainte amach aige/aici, i measc na n-iarratasóirí incháilithe, ina b(h)unchéim in OÉ Gaillimh.

B’as Dún Garbháin, Co. Phort Láirge an Dr Colm Ó hEocha ó dhúchas agus bhí sé ina Uachtarán ar OÉ Gaillimh (Coláiste na hOllscoile, Gaillimh ag an am) idir �975-�995. Bhí an Dr Ó hEocha ar an gcéad Ollamh le Bithcheimic san Ollscoil sa bhliain �963. Chomh maith leis sin bhí sé ina Ollamh ar Fhóram Nua-Éireann, ar Chomhairle Eolaíochta na hÉireann, ar an gComhairle Ealaíon agus ar an gCoimisiún Eatramhach Raidió Áitiúil. Bhronn Ollscoil na Banríona, Béal Feirste, Ollscoil Bhaile Átha Cliath, Ollscoil Luimnigh agus Coláiste Connecticut céimeanna oinigh ar an Dr Ó hEocha.

Sa phictiúr ag seoladh Sparánacht Choilm Uí Eocha le gairid tá bean chéile an Dr Uí Eocha, Daiden Ó hEocha leis an Dr Jim Browne, Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh.

Volunteering Fair NUI Galway’s eleventh annual Volunteering Fair took place in September and over 80 charities and community organisations showcased the wide range of volunteer opportunities in Galway. Brill’s New Jacoby

Professor John Madden (Emeritus, Classics Department and The Moore Institute) and Dr Arthur Keaveney (The University of Kent , Canterbury) have completed their edition of Memnon’s History of Heracleia Pontica. The work, published by Brill of Leiden, is contained in Brill’s revised and expanded edition of Felix Jacoby’s standard collection of Greek historical sources, Die Fragmente der Griechischen Historiker. Brill’s new edition of Jacoby , entitled Brill’s New Jacoby is available online to subscribers. Professor Madden was aided in his work by the James Hardiman Library Special Research Fund which acquired material relevant to his project.

Living ScenesThe Living Scenes programme in Millstreet Community School, Co. Cork has been awarded second place in an EU Commission competition, celebrating the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations. At a ceremony in Brussels recently, Millstreet Community School beat off �,000 schools from 30 countries to win this major accolade and put intergenerational learning in Ireland on the European radar. The Living Scenes programme, which is designed, implemented and funded by NUI Galway, has been in existence since �999 and is currently in eight centres throughout Ireland.

Research MattersThe fourth issue of Research Matters is now available to read at http://www.nuigalway.ie/research/vp_research/documents/research_matters_issue_4.pdf

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A new report from the J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics reveals that the Volvo Ocean Race Finale which took place in Galway city earlier this year, having hosted a stopover for the Race in �009, was worth €60.5 million to the Irish economy. Over 500,000 visitors attended events during the festival period from 30 June to 8 July �0��, with �6% of those coming from outside of Ireland.

The report, An Economic Assessment of the Volvo Ocean Race Finale, Galway �0��, takes an in-depth scientific examination of the economic impact of the event in Galway over the nine day period. It also reports on the extra-economic benefits of the VOR finale which saw an investment by organisers and Galway City of €7.6 million.

The report identifies key questions on the event’s economic impact. Findings reveal the direct expenditure of €35.5 million and indirect spend during the festival period of €�5 million giving an overall economic impact of €60.5 million.

Speaking of the findings, Dr Patrick Collins of NUI Galway’s Whitaker Institute said: “For nine days and nights, Galway City became the focal point of one of the most highly regarded international sporting events, supported by over �75 free events around the city. The magnitude of the event in terms of the relatively small economy of the Galway area was exceptional.” The report was compiled by Dr Patrick Collins, Dr Stephen Hynes and Dr Emer Mulligan of NUI Galway on behalf of Let’s Do It Global.

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Marketing and Communications Office, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh.

Tel: 09�-49336� E-mail: michelle.nichroinin@nuigalway.ie

Pictured at the launch of the report, ‘An Economic Assessment of the Volvo Ocean Race Finale, Galway 2012’ compiled by NUI Galway were report author, Dr Patrick Collins, Dr Emer Mulligan, Head of JE Cairnes School of Business and Economics and President Browne

NUI Galway’s Autumn Undergraduate Open Days attracted some 8,000 visitors to the campus. The Open Days are tailored towards Leaving Certificate and mature students who are interested in studying at NUI Galway.

With over 80 exhibition stands the Open Days featured a mix of taster sessions and short lectures to provide a feel for university life. Events included hands-on science workshops, interactive demonstrations with cameras, media equipment and podcasts, an expert panel to talk about jobs for Arts students, and interactive sessions with IT systems and robotics. A talk specifically for parents, ‘Parents’ Guide to University’ gave an introduction to university life and information on issues such as fees, funding, accommodation, as well as looking ahead to the job markets.

An integral element of the University’s Travel Plan is to promote walking and cycling and to encourage the transfer of car based travel. As part of this NUI Galway – along with 5� of Ireland’s largest workplaces – took part in the Smarter Travel Workplaces ‘Pedometer Challenge’. Participants covered an amazing � billion �74 million steps and contributed in raising €5,000 for the Irish Heart Foundation. NUI Galway’s teams clocked up a total of �,554,634 steps, with team Legs & Go coming a very impressive �6th in the competition overall. Pictured is Karen Dooley, Buldings Office with other participants.

Pedometer Challenge 2012

Volvo Ocean Race Report Finds Economic Benefit of €60.5 million to Host City

Students Louise Hogan and Sally Ann Flanagan pictured with Professor Nollaig MacCongáil, Registrar, and Dr Lucy Byrnes, Dean of Graduate Studies at the recent Postgraduate Open Day. Details of the new Taught Masters Scholarships Programme, for entry 2013, were unveiled on the day. Further detail on the new scholarship programme is available at www.nuigalway.ie/postgraduate/scholarships.

Postgraduate Open Day